Dear Parishioners,

Today the church keeps the great solemnity of Epiphany, derived from Greek word meaning “manifestation.” Traditionally Epiphany was celebrated on January 6, and was the 12th Day of Christmas. It is perhaps a more ancient festival than Christmas on December 25. It originated in the Eastern sections of the Christian world and commemorated the birth of Jesus, the visit of the Magi, the baptism of Jesus and the miracle of Cana when Jesus transformed water into wine.

Over the course of time, the Eastern church took over December 25 as the day to commemorate the birth of Jesus and the Western church claimed January 6 as the feast to recall the visit of the Magi. In the United States and certain other countries, Epiphany was moved to the Sunday closest to January 6 because there was concern that people were losing the significance of this feast since it was on a weekday. While this innovation was logical for pastoral reasons, it distorted the timing of Epiphany as the 12th Day of Christmas.

One of the ancient customs that emerged from Epiphany was the blessing of homes and the “Chalking of Doors.” The latter refers to using a piece of chalk to write the initials of the 3 Magi as well as the current year above the threshold of the main door to one’s home, for example; 20 + C + M + B + 23. Just as the Magi visited the home of Jesus when he was an infant child, we pray that these mystical figures from our tradition also visit our homes. More significantly however, is the prayer that Jesus Christ who visibly manifested the Godhead to our world will always be a welcome guest in our homes.

The letters have two meanings. First, they represent the initials of the Magi — Caspar, Melchior, and Balthazar — who came to visit Jesus in His first home. They also abbreviate the Latin phrase, Christus mansionem benedicat: “May Christ bless the house.” The “+” signs represent the cross, and the “20” at the beginning and the “23” at the end mark the year. Taken together, this inscription is performed as a request for Christ to bless this individual home and abide with the family of this household for the entire year.

In addition to chalking the threshold of the main door, it also became customary to bless each room in the house with holy water and incense. Such ritual gestures honor the home as a sacred place – the domestic church, where the faith is preserved and handed on to the members who dwell there. 

The Ritual Blessing of the home for Epiphany follows and may be presided over by a priest, deacon or family member.

The Ritual for Blessing Homes on Epiphany

On entering the home,

Leader (Priest, or parent of the family):  Peace be to this house.

All: And to all who dwell here.

All: From the east came the Magi to Bethlehem to adore the Lord; and opening their treasures they offered precious gifts: gold for the great King, incense for the true God, and myrrh in symbol of His burial.

 All Pray: The Magnificat., (Luke 1:46-55) My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior for he has looked upon his handmaid in her lowliness; for behold, from this day forward, all generations will call me blessed.

For the Almighty has done great things for me, And holy is his name. His mercy is from age to age for those who fear him.

He has shown the strength of his arm and has scattered the proud in their conceit of heart. He has cast down the mighty from their thrones and has exalted those who are lowly. He has filled the hungry with good things, and sent the rich away empty.

He has helped his servant Israel mindful of his mercy, even as he promised to our fathers, to Abraham and his descendants forever. Glory to the Father, and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, As it was in the beginning, is now and will be forever, Amen.

After this is completed,

All: From the east came the Magi to Bethlehem to adore the Lord; and opening their treasures they offered precious gifts: gold for the great King, incense for the true God, and myrrh in symbol of His burial.

All: Our Father. . .
Leader: All they shall come from Saba

All: Bringing gold and frankincense.

Leader: O Lord, hear my prayer.

All: And let my cry come to You.

Leader: Let us pray. O God, who by the guidance of a star did on this day manifest your only-begotten Son to the Gentiles, mercifully grant that we who know you by faith may also attain the vision of your glorious majesty. Through Christ our Lord.

All: Amen.

Leader: Be enlightened, be enlightened, O Jerusalem, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon you —Jesus Christ born of the Virgin Mary.

All: And the Gentiles shall walk in your light and kings in the splendor of your rising, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you.

Leader: Let us pray.
Bless, + O Lord God almighty, this home, that in it there may be health, purity, the strength of victory, humility, goodness and   mercy, the fulfillment of your law, the thanksgiving to God the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. And may this blessing remain upon this home and upon all who dwell here. Through Christ our Lord.

All: Amen

After the prayers of the blessing are recited, each room of the home is sprinkled with holy water and incensed. The initials of the Magi are inscribed upon the doors with the blessed chalk. (The initials, C, M, B, can also be interpreted as the Latin phrase “Christus mansionem benedicat” which means “Christ bless this house”.)

Example: 20 + C + M + B + 20 

Another possible prayer to say during your Chalking:

May all who come to our home this year rejoice to find Christ living among us; and may we seek and serve, in everyone we meet, that same Jesus who is your incarnate Word, now and forever. Amen.

God of heaven and earth, you revealed your only-begotten One to every nation by the guidance of a star. Bless this house and all who inhabit it. Fill us with the light of Christ, that our concern for others may reflect your love. We ask this through Christ our Saviour. Amen.

Loving God, bless this household. May we be blessed with health, goodness of heart, gentleness, and abiding in your will. We ask this through Christ our Lord.. Amen.

 

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